1. Spotlight on
Emerging Technology:
Online Learning in K-12 Schools
HanNa Chung
Walden University
May 29, 2011

2. What is Online Learning?
 A type of distance education in which teachers
and learners are separate in time or space.
 “Education in which instruction and content are
delivered primarily via the Internet”
(Cavanaugh & Clark, 2007, p.5).
 “typically thought of as distance learning in the
form of a course taught mostly on the Internet
rather than in a transitional classroom” (Hargis
& Schofield, 2007, p.14).

3. Why Online Learning?
 to expand access to education and
provide curricular options to all students
 a tool for education reform
 as effective as well-designed classroom
instruction

4. Who Benefits from Online Learning?
Students…
 who need enrichment, acceleration,
remedial, or supplemental courses.
 that are home-schooled or live in areas
where physical classrooms are not
available.
 who want to take advanced placement
or college level courses.
 with various and multiple learning
styles.

5. What is
Course Management Systems (CMS)?
• also known as Learning Management
Systems (LMS) or Virtual Learning
Environments (VLE).
• a system designed to support,
administer, and organize teaching and
learning in an educational setting or
online course.

6. Examples of Course
Management Systems
• Drupal
• eCollege
• Blackboard
• WebLessons
• Moodle
• Rcampus

7. • A free web application that educators
can use to create effective online
learning sites.
• Gives educators tools to manage and
promote learning.
• Teachers can create lessons, quizzes,
chats, forums, workshops, and share
resources.

8. • A collaborative learning environment that
helps to connect students and educators.
• A platform to manage course materials,
share resources, perform assessments
with rubrics, publish grades, facilitate
communication and interaction.
• Free, easy, and quick!

9. Advantages for Students
• “provides students with opportunities to
embrace leadership roles and demonstrate
social responsibility and enhanced social
skills” (Young, Birtolo, & McElman, 2009,
p. 15).
• “improvement in problem solving, creative
thinking, decision making, and time
management” (Cavanaugh & Clark, 2007,
p.13).

10. More Advantages for Students
• engaging and motivating
• more choices for courses of interest
• work collaboratively on projects and
websites
• student-centered atmosphere with
more individualized attention

11. Advantages for Teachers
• “assist students in becoming active participants
in the construction of their own knowledge”
(Hargis & Schofield, 2007, p. 37).
• Help increase students’ study habits, creativity,
and positive attitudes towards school.
• Personalize and individualize instruction to
accommodate and meet the needs and learning
styles of all your students.
• Increases student motivation and participation.
• Promotes self-directed learners.

12. How Can Teachers Use Learning
Modules With Their Students?
• Extension of the • Post important
classroom. announcements or
• Post assignments with schedules for due
clear expectations and dates.
instructions. • Monitor student
• Give online progress.
assessments or • Analyze data faster
projects with rubrics. and easier.
• Create discussion • Provide timely
forums and chats. feedback.
• Keep communication • Post lessons and
open and consistent. guided practice.

13. What Instructional Gaps
Can Be Filled?
• “online learning can give students opportunities to
demonstrate mastery of academic concepts while
using today's tools and resources” (Young, Birtolo,
& McElman, 2009, p.16).
• Increasing and building up students that are digital
natives in preparing them to become 21st century
citizens.
• “teamwork skills, problem-solving abilities,
creativity, decision-making proficiency, and higher-
order thinking skills” (Cavanaugh & Clark, 2007,
p.16).

14. What Other Instructional Gaps
Can be Filled?
• Students can continue learning outside
of the classroom.
• Critical thinking skills
• Collaboration skills
• Global awareness

15. How Can Online Learning Modules
Support Meaningful, Authentic,
Student Learning?
• “opportunity for rich interactive collaboration
among students and teachers” (Cavanaugh
& Clark, 2007, p.13).
• Fosters learning anytime and anyplace.
• Connect with other students from around
the world.
• Self-paced, flexible, and comfortable
learning.

16. Potential Reasons for Resisting
Online Learning for Teachers
Significant teacher preparation and
professional development in online
instructional practices needed.
Time, effort, and energy needed to design
virtual course materials and communications
technologies.
Lack of technology skills and tools.
No face-to-face time with students to build
relationships while managing learning.

17. Potential Reasons for Resisting
Online Learning for Students
Lack of auditory production and
reception skills
Lack of technology skills
Lack of access to technology tools
Time management

18. Possibilities…
free and private CMS
24/7 access and convenience
Students and teachers need to be
prepared for the 21st century
workplace.
flexibility and self-paced learning
meets the learning needs of students

19. Conclusion
“Implementing online learning
environments in K-12 school districts
requires cultivating new approaches to
how we handle teaching, learning, and
leading in schools. Because learning can
happen online, the applications are limited
only by the imagination” (Guhlin, 2009).

20. References
 Cavanaugh, C., & Clark, T. (2007). The Landscape of K-12 Online Learning. In P. Adamson, B.
Adamson, & N. Clausen-Grace, et al (Eds.), What Works in K-12 Online Learning (Chapter 1,
pp. 5-19). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
 Guhlin, M. (2009). Moodle-izing your education enterprise. Education World. Retrieved May
27, 2011 from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/guhlin/guhlin012.shtml.
 Hargis, J., & Schofield, K. (2007). Integrating Online Learning into Elementary Classrooms.
In P. Adamson, B. Adamson, & N. Clausen-Grace, et al (Eds.), What Works in K-12 Online
Learning (pp. 33-47). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
 Moodle. (2011). Open-source community-based tools for learning. Retrieved May 27, 2011
from http://moodle.org/.
 rCampus. (2011). A collaborative learning community. Retreieved May 27, 2011 from
http://rcampus.com.
 Young, J., Birtolo, P., & McElman, R. (2009). Virtual success: Transforming education
through online learning. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(5), 12–17.